TExES Physical Education EC-12 Practice Exam

What principle states that applied force must overcome inertia for a movement to occur?

1. A. Kinetic energy

2. B. Potential energy

3. C. Force Absorption

4. D. Magnitude

The correct answer is: D. Magnitude

The principle that states applied force must overcome inertia for a movement to occur is best described by the concept related to magnitude. When discussing motion, inertia refers to the resistance of an object to any change in its state of motion. According to Newton's first law, an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will continue moving at a constant velocity unless acted upon by a net external force. In this context, the magnitude of the applied force is crucial because it needs to be sufficiently strong to overcome the object's inertia. If the magnitude of the applied force is less than the inertia opposing it, movement will not occur. Thus, understanding the relationship between force and inertia through the lens of its magnitude helps clarify how movement is initiated and sustained in physical activities. In contrast, kinetic energy and potential energy refer to the energy states of objects rather than the forces involved in overcoming inertia. Force absorption pertains to how forces are dissipated through the body, which is related to performance and safety but does not specifically address the requirement for movement. The different aspects of force and energy are important in understanding physics in physical education, but the concept of magnitude is specifically tied to the force necessary to initiate movement against inertia.